Blog Archives

Downtown Voices Coalition, downtown Phoenix’s only grassroots stakeholder group that champions issues of urban excellence, like small and locally owned business, historic preservation, sustainability in a broader perspective, and good government, is hosting a series of one-on-one online conversations with the four remaining candidates for Phoenix City Council. The four candidates will be in conversation with our Edward Jensen, our group’s Secretary as well as an ardent observer in Phoenix politics and governance.

Leading off the conversations will be Laura Pastor, a program director at South Mountain Community College and the daughter of U.S. Congressman Ed Pastor, on Friday, October 4, from 7:00-8:00pm. Justin Johnson, running against Pastor for the District 4 seat, will be in conversation with Jensen on Monday, October 7, also from 7:00-8:00pm. Johnson is a real estate developer and the son of former Phoenix mayor Paul Johnson. Conversations with Kate Gallego and Warren Stewart are being scheduled for the week of October 7.

The conversations will be hosted on DVC’s Google+ page as a Google+ Hangout On Air, an innovative platform to allow many observers from Phoenix to watch and participate in the conversation. Twitter users can send in their questions and comments using the hashtag #DVC4 and #DVC8 (depending on the district represented). Participants who do not have Google+ can watch on DVC’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/DVCPhoenix. The conversation will then be available on the DVC YouTube channel for watching after the live event has concluded.

“I am pleased to be hosting these one-on-one conversations,” said Jensen. “This is a unique, first-of-its-kind way to engage with the candidates and the questions that will be asked are not the conventional questions asked in debates and fora. It gives the candidates an opportunity to envision that they are in their respective City Council seat and working to accomplish their agenda.”

The questions are focused around the central theme of governance and how the candidates plan to accomplish their policy proposals while they are in office. The four subthemes are “City Hall and the Next City Manager,” “Governance and Intergovernmental Relations,” “Downtown / Urban Phoenix and Urban Living Infrastructure,” and “Sustainability and the Environment in a Broader Context.” The one-on-one conversation format will allow Jensen to pursue different lines of questioning based on the answers given, allowing for tremendous flexibility. About 15-20 minutes at the end will be reserved for audience questions.

Downtown Voices Coalition is a coalition of stakeholder organizations that embrace growth in downtown Phoenix, but is mindful that healthy growth should be based upon existing downtown resources — the vibrancy of neighborhoods, the strength of the arts community, the uniqueness of historic properties, and the wonderful small businesses that dot downtown. For more information, visit downtownvoices.org.

The official Phoenix celebration of Earth Day will be held on Thursday, April 21 in Cesar Chavez Plaza from 11-2. The City of Phoenix Sustainability HUB will showcase most of the city’s sustainable programs in one location near Jefferson Street.

Within the 100 other booths you’ll find reusable grocery bags, Sun Chips (in the newly reformulated environmental bag), samples from Coke and Nestle Water as well as hot-dogs provided by Republic Services.

Come by and learn more about what YOU can do for the environment in your every day life.

New Bike and Beer Festival – SanTan Wheelie Jam – 4/23

Get ready for a new bike and beer festival on April 23rd at Steele Indian School Park [near] downtown Phoenix, the SanTan Wheelie Jam. EVERYONE should be there, and bring all your friends too (oh and make sure everyone buys a few beers).

This is an all local festival, local bike groups, local beer (SanTan brewing), local food, local bands, local bike shops. TBAG is getting it going, and all beer sales proceeds will go to Phoenix groups like Rusty Spoke, AZ Bike Polo etc.

Right now we need to line up sponsors and bike activities. We can do roller wars, mini/tall bike rides and races, riding contests, fixie trick demos, bike build offs, giveaways etc. Contact ryan@biketempe.org if you know someone who wants to sponsor the event, or can help provide some kind of bike related fun. Also let me know if you can help plan the event or would like to volunteer at the event.

Any non-profit or club that wants to get the word out about their group is welcome at the event. There will be table space, you can do fliers, stickers, or sell merch.

This festival is for and by the local bike community. It’s all new so it’s a great place to try new ideas and get people excited about riding bikes and being involved in their local community.

Growing Connections: Roots to Branches

Arizona and its communities face challenging problems with diminishing resources. How do communities do more with less? Green Infrastructure is a solution multiplier that provides cost effective solutions to many economic, social and environmental problems. All Arizona communities and businesses have a role in cultivating a healthier, more livable and prosperous future.

Presentations and a Discussion on Cultivating Green Infrastructure

The Regional Tree & Shade Summit will bring together municipal and private sector professionals for a one-day meeting to address the growing importance of regional tree and shade plans and green infrastructure to the long-term sustainability and success of our communities.

Produced by the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and Ryden Architects, Inc., the book features more than 400 images, some rare, of buildings lost and those preserved for generations to come. It highlights the work of architects Ralph Haver, Al Beadle, Bennie Gonzales and others, and the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on the architecture of Phoenix.

“Mid-Century Marvels” was published with funding provided by a Federal Historic Fund Certified Local Government Grant, The Arizona Heritage Fund and the Phoenix Historic Preservation Bond Fund.

Arts Congress 2011: Monday, February 7th

The Arts Congress is coordinated by the Arizona Action for the Arts and is the official advocacy day for the arts here in Arizona. The event draws attendees from across the state representing large arts organizations, arts administrators, artists and community leaders. The event consists of training sessions, face-to-face meetings with state legislators, networking, caucuses, and representation in the House and Senate galleries. (If you don’t want to volunteer but would prefer to go as an attendee, click here to sign up.)

The Arts Congress is this Monday, February 7, 2011 at the State Capitol on the Senate Lawn and is is an all day event beginning at 7:30 am and ending at 3:30, but volunteers can sign up for 4 different shifts.

The Arts Congress organizers are looking for volunteers to work at the registration booth, volunteers to set up the coffee and muffin table and coordinate with the catering company for the lunch order, volunteers for the event check out, and volunteers to work as ambassadors. The ambassadors will be staged throughout the State Capitol and will be pointed out to the event attendees to answer questions, etc. The ambassadors are asked to work from 9 am to 3, but the organizers can be flexible. And if you can give a minimum of 3.5 hours, you’ll get lunch.

PSF is not an exclusive club where you need some sort of membership to attend. It’s open to the public. It’s a way to get together with your fellow Valley residents and share some things with them: your time, your food, your stories, your presence, your self. It’s a way of saying, hello, how are you, my name is…to new people in a beloved setting in the city.

Co-mingle with comrades and come celebrate our city over courses of communal cuisine! Cue the “Sesame Street” theme song: this month’s Places, Spaces, & Faces potluck event is brought to you by the letter “C.”

Feel free to interpret this concept creatively. “C” can stand for Casseroles, Carrots, Cookies, or Cucumbers. Think Cake, Corn, and Calamari. Serve your creation on a Cake Stand, in a Carafe, or atop a Chia Pet. Consider Chicken, Cheese and Cashews. And Chocolate (after all, January 22nd is National Blond Brownie Day). Oh, and definitely Cocktails!

As usual, there will be a people’s choice vote to determine three prize winners in the categories of “top savory dish,” “everyone’s favorite dessert,” and “the evening’s best beverage.” After Hours Gallery permits alcohol so feel free to play with booze in your shared dish or drink.

Last names A-I: a drink
Last names J-R: savory
Last names S-Z: sweet

*Plus appropriate serving spoons/forks/tongs.

Please bring your own plate, cup, napkin, and silverware. We’ll again utilize a buffet setup, like we did with December’s dinner. Please label your shared savory/sweet/liquid contribution to share and highlight any prospective allergens (particularly if you are working with alcohol).

Speakers: Our speakers will include gallery owners Mike and Russ, plus Scott Roeder, After Hours construction project manager. Photographer John Wagner will also speak about his exhibit “SALT,” featuring photographs from the Bonneville Salt Flats currently on display at the gallery